Output data providing server and output data providing method

Abstract

An input information reception unit of a server receives input information relating to a user operation from a client terminal and records the input information into an input information storage unit together with time. An information processing unit carries out an information process immediately on the basis of the input information, and an encoding unit encodes generated primary output data and a data transmission unit transmits the encoded data to the client terminal. An adjustment part adjusts processing contents and an encode parameter at any time in response to a communication situation monitored by a communication situation monitoring unit and records an adjustment history into an adjustment history storage unit together with the time.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An output data providing server which connects to a client terminal through a network and receives information relating to a user operation on the client terminal to carry out an information process and then transmits output data obtained as a result of the information process to the client terminal which requests the output data, comprising:
 an input information reception unit configured to acquire information relating to the user operation as input information; 
 an information processing unit configured to carry out an information process on a basis of the input information to generate output data; and 
 a data transmission unit configured to transmit the output data to the client terminal, wherein 
 the information processing unit adaptively adjusts at least one of contents of the information process and quality of the output data in response to a communication situation with the client terminal, and 
 the information processing unit carries out an information process making progress of a game in response to the user operation and adjusts contents of the information process so as to moderate a rule of the game when the communication situation deteriorates by a sufficient amount from a predetermined reference. 
 
     
     
       2. The output data providing server according to  claim 1 , wherein the information process making progress of the game includes a decision process regarding whether or not an operation timing by the user is detected within a predetermined decision time period, and, when the communication situation deteriorates by the sufficient amount from the predetermined reference, provides a display to an image of the game included in the output data, which urges the user to provide an operation at a timing earlier than that existing prior to the deterioration of the communication situation. 
     
     
       3. The output data providing server according to  claim 1 , wherein the information processing unit:
 encodes the generated output data with the adaptively adjusted quality and supplies the encoded data to the data transmission unit, and 
 encodes the output data with predetermined quality irrespective of whether or not the adjustment is carried out and stores the encoded data into a storage apparatus in preparation for later transmission to the client terminal. 
 
     
     
       4. The output data providing server according to  claim 1 , wherein the information processing unit partially lowers a resolution or a bit rate of an image included in the output data, when the communication situation deteriorates by the sufficient amount from the predetermined reference. 
     
     
       5. A method, comprising:
 communicating, via an output data providing server, with a client terminal through a network; 
 receiving information at the data providing server relating to a user operation on the client terminal; 
 carrying out an information process based on the information and transmitting output data obtained as a result of the information process to the client terminal which requests the output data; 
 acquiring information relating to the user operation as input information; 
 carrying out the information process on a basis of the input information to generate the output data; and 
 transmitting the output data to the client terminal, wherein 
 the information process includes adaptively adjusting at least one of contents of the information process and quality of the output data in response to a communication situation with the client terminal, and 
 the information process includes making progress of a game in response to the user operation and adjusting contents of the information process so as to moderate a rule of the game when the communication situation deteriorates by a sufficient amount from a predetermined reference. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the information process making progress of the game includes a decision process regarding whether or not an operation timing by the user is detected within a predetermined decision time period, and, when the communication situation deteriorates by the sufficient amount from the predetermined reference, provides a display to an image of the game included in the output data, which urges the user to provide an operation at a timing earlier than that existing prior to the deterioration of the communication situation. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the information process includes:
 encoding s the generated output data with the adaptively adjusted quality and supplies the encoded data for transmission to the client terminal, and 
 encoding the output data with predetermined quality irrespective of whether or not the adjustment is carried out and stores the encoded data into a storage apparatus in preparation for later transmission to the client terminal. 
 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the information process includes partially lowering a resolution or a bit rate of an image included in the output data, when the communication situation deteriorates by the sufficient amount from the predetermined reference. 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory, computer readable storage medium containing a computer program, which when executed by a computer system, causes the computer system to carry out actions, comprising:
 communicating, via an output data providing server, with a client terminal through a network; 
 receiving information at the data providing server relating to a user operation on the client terminal; 
 carrying out an information process based on the information and transmitting output data obtained as a result of the information process to the client terminal which requests the output data; 
 acquiring information relating to the user operation as input information; 
 carrying out the information process on a basis of the input information to generate the output data; and 
 transmitting the output data to the client terminal, wherein 
 the information process includes adaptively adjusting at least one of contents of the information process and quality of the output data in response to a communication situation with the client terminal, and 
 the information process includes making progress of a game in response to the user operation and adjusting contents of the information process so as to moderate a rule of the game when the communication situation deteriorates by a sufficient amount from a predetermined reference. 
 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein the information process making progress of the game includes a decision process regarding whether or not an operation timing by the user is detected within a predetermined decision time period, and, when the communication situation deteriorates by the sufficient amount from the predetermined reference, provides a display to an image of the game included in the output data, which urges the user to provide an operation at a timing earlier than that existing prior to the deterioration of the communication situation. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein the information process includes:
 encoding s the generated output data with the adaptively adjusted quality and supplies the encoded data for transmission to the client terminal, and 
 encoding the output data with predetermined quality irrespective of whether or not the adjustment is carried out and stores the encoded data into a storage apparatus in preparation for later transmission to the client terminal. 
 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory, computer readable storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein the information process includes partially lowering a resolution or a bit rate of an image included in the output data, when the communication situation deteriorates by the sufficient amount from the predetermined reference.